Eileen Barrer

WOOSTER, Ohio – In a highly competitive matchup between North Coast Athletic Conference rivals, The College of Wooster women's lacrosse team used a 5-1 scoring run during a 10:32 stretch in the second half to pull away from Wittenberg University, and eventually claimed a 13-9 victory on a chilly and cloudy afternoon at Carl Dale Memorial Field.

The Tigers (6-3, 1-2 NCAC), who trailed 7-4 at half time, appeared to be gaining momentum during the opening moments of the second half, as they scored twice during a 5:06 span to pull within two goals (8-6). Wooster (6-3, 2-0 NCAC) then struck quickly, when Madison Carey and Eileen Barrer scored just 19 seconds apart to increase the Scots lead to 10-6.

Only 16 seconds after Barrer's goal, Wittenberg's Jordan Beauchamp responded with a score that drew the Tigers within three (10-7), but then Wooster continued its previously mentioned scoring run. Carey completed her hat trick on a feed from Clare Nelson-Johnson, and Barrer added her fourth and fifth goals of the game down the stretch to give Wooster a commanding 13-7 lead with under eight minutes remaining in the game.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair that saw Wooster take a short-lived 5-2 lead, before Wittenberg made it 5-4 nearing halftime. Operating with a man down after a penalty, Nina Dine still managed to score off an assist from Eliza Perry, and then Barrer scored on a free-position shot with 1:15 on the clock to give Wooster it's 7-4 cushion at the break.

Overall, the stats were extremely close for both teams, with Wooster holding a slight edge in shots (24-23), ground balls (19-15), and draw controls (13-10).

Leading the Scots offense was Barrer, who scored a career-high five goals on seven shot attempts. Carey also recorded five points (3 goals, 2 assists), and Dine scored three goals, which all came in the first half. Also noteworthy, Cassie Greenbaum filled the stat sheet with a goal, assist, five ground balls, and two caused turnovers.

For Wittenberg, Beauchamp had a hat trick, and Erin Guiliano had a goal and two helpers.

In goal, Shawna Ferris made eight saves, while her counterpart Jenny Schaafsma had six.

The Scots will be back on the field tomorrow at 2 p.m. hosting Carthage College (5-5) in their final non-conference game of the regular season.